Perennial aster are fellow member of various genera in theAsteraceae family , includingAster , Eurybia , andSymphyotrichum . They are aboriginal to the United States , Europe , and Asia .

There are legion species and cultivated mixed bag with heights ranging from six inches to over six foot tall .

Instead of expectant showy flowers , most have masses of tiny , daisy - comparable prime that quantify between one - half and one inch in diameter .

A close up of bright pink aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) flowers growing in the summer garden.

Hairy white oldfield species,Symphyotrichum pilosum.

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With a vigorous growth habit , they promptly naturalise via their extensive ascendant organization and by ego - sowing . The challenge is to be able to savor them without letting them take over your 1000 .

In this article , we declare oneself food for thought with 21 summit for how to manage recurrent asters in your landscape .

A vertical close up picture of a large clump of pink flowering perennial asters growing in the garden with a blue sky background. To the center and bottom of the frame is green and white text.

Hairy white oldfield species,Symphyotrichum pilosum.

Here ’s what ’s in stock :

What You’ll Learn

Even though they are not tag as an invasive species by the USDA , strong-growing cultivator can induce vexation instead of joyfulness – unless they are well managed .

Let ’s find out how to wrick unruly into manageable , properly now .

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Here in the Northeast , a profusion ofblue , pinkish , over-embellished , andwhitestarryperennial astersmark summer ’s last and splendid hooray before the crimson hues of fall herald cold days to fall .

As mentioned , Symphyotrichum , especially native species , naturalize with vigour .

Returning each springiness , these perennials take up more and more garden real landed estate each class , multiplying via a root system of thick rootstock , and ego - sowing with abandon .

A vertical close up picture of a large clump of pink flowering perennial asters growing in the garden with a blue sky background. To the center and bottom of the frame is green and white text.

They attract ahost of bees , butterfly stroke , moths , and otherbeneficial pollinatorsthat are a constant comportment , and a boon to all the works in the garden .

At time of year ’s destruction , the wildlife population shifts toforaging bird that are draw to the seeds , attempting to consume them before they are dispersed on the child’s play in clouds of fluffy , chocolate-brown and white tufts .

As a nature lover , I welcome asters , especially aboriginal specie .

A close up of pollinating bees on white aster flowers in the summer garden.

However , in addition tonaturalizinglike it ’s a competitory sport , there are often other challenges to fence with :

you could meet these challenges with proactive measures that can help to control their spread , and maintain their appearance .

rent ’s discover out what they are .

A close up of a clump of Symphyotrichum oolentangiense growing in the garden in bright sunshine.

How to Manage Perennial Asters

To successfully finagle aster , you need to oblige their natural tendencies , but on your terms .

Here are 21 bakshish for keep asters in line , kick downstairs down into four category :

Control Spreading

There are some excellent ways to keep plants from taking over the grounds , including :

Manage Legginess

A “ leggy ” industrial plant is one with stems that have grown so top - heavy , it can no longer support them on its own .

This creates a split - open appearing in the clump and can cause stem to break , not only stimulate them unsightly , but also render them vulnerable to disease .

Here ’s what to do :

A close up of the tiny blue flowers of Aster alpinus, growing in the summer garden.

Address Bare Legs

While established vegetation requires little supplemental water , during a heatwave they can use a little help . Here ’s what to do :

Inhibit Fungal Growth

A vulgar result is a fungous conditioncalled powdery mildew . It broadly does n’t spoil the flowers , but gives the leaves a dappled grizzly appearance .

Here ’s how to keep it at bay :

Start Small and Grow

furious and woolly asters may not be for everyone , but with 21 ways to tone down their natural inclination , there ’s no need to be horrific of their behavior in the garden .

Start small when choosing a variety or two to educate for the first prison term . A container or raise seam with a bottom will give you the opportunity to enjoy the blooms without worry about the plants carry over .

conceive a native variety to appeal local pollinator and birds , andadd a birdbathorbird feederto the mount while you ’re at it .

A close up of Eurybia divaricata growing in the summer garden with delicate white flowers.

In metre , you may desire to lucubrate into the garden , perhaps along that wayside margin .

The more you be given to your plant , the more first - hand cognition you will acquire of how they carry .

And , if you divide them every few geezerhood in the spring to keep them goodish and manageable , you cognise what ? You may just find that there ’s plenty of room in your outdoor aliveness space for your well - behave perennial asters .

If you ’re concerned in more information aboutgrowing perennial aster , you ’ll postulate these guide next :

© expect the Experts , LLC . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.See our TOSfor more details . Originally published on June 8th , 2020 . Last updated August 5th , 2023 . Uncredited photo : Shutterstock .

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Nan Schiller